Removable watch band

ABSTRACT

A REMOVABLE WATCH BAND ADAPTED TO BE SECURED ON A WATCH CASING OF A WOMAN&#39;&#39;S WATCH WHICH HAS A CIRCULAR OPENING AT THE TOP AND BOTTOM THEREOF. THE WATCH BAND INCLUDES A HOOK-SHAPED MEMBER WHICH IS MOVABLE FROM A FIRST POSITION WHEREIN ONE END CAN BE INSERTED IN THE CIRCULAR OPENING TO A SECOND POSITION WHEREIN THE END WILL RETAIN THE BAND ON THE CASING AT THE OPENING. PIVOTABLE MEANS ARE USED FOR RELEASABLY SECURING THE HOOK-SHAPED MEMBER IN ITS RETAINING POSITION.

y 23, 1972 M. A. BRUNER REMOVABLE WATCH BAND 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 10, 1969 INVENTOR MATES A. BRUNER A T TOR/V5750 May 23, 1972 M. A. BRUNER REMOVABLE WATCH BAND 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 10, 1969 INVENTOR MA TES A. BRUNEI? A TTORNEYSn- 3,664,559 Patented May 23, 1972 3,664,559 REMOVABLE WATCH BAND Mates A. Bl'llllel, 1113 Wynnbrook Place, Secane, Pa. 19018 Filed Oct. 10, 1969, Ser. No. 865,325

Int. Cl. A44c /18 US. Cl. 224-4 E 1 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a watch band, and more particularly, to a watch band that is easily removed from a womans watch. 7 v 7 It is now a common practice to place a' permanently secured watch band on a womans watch. If it is desired to change the watch band, normally this can only be accomplished by a jeweler. Furthermore, when the watch band is removed from the womans watch, the securing fastener will normally be destroyed. Thereason for this is that the securing fastener most commonly used comprises a pivotable hook which is received in a circular opening on the watch casing. After the hook is placed in the opening, it is prevented from any further movement by bending a pair of tabs over the hook. The tabs'are q formed from a readily deformable metal, and-once they are bent into place, they will normally snap if bent upwardly to permit the removal of the watch band. Therefore, if the watch band is removed, in most cases the securement fastening must be replaced.

Others have attempted to make watch bands removable a by using spring-urged clasps, but these proved to be unreliable and caused accidental opening.

One aspect of this invention is the recognition of the problems inherent in having a permanently secured watch band on a womans watch. One of these problems is thefact that the watch band cannot readily be removed for cleaning. Thus, many watch bands used by women are formed from links in which dirt will collect. If the watch band were removable, this dirt could eaily be removed in a cleaning solution. However, with the watch band permanently secured in place the only Way to remove the-dirt is through hand cleaning.

Another advantage of having a removable watch band is that a woman can readily change the watch band to coordinate the band with her wardrobe. Thus, a woman may wish to use a conservative style of watch band for daytime wear and a more ornamental watch band for evening wear. If the watch band were not readily removable the woman would be restricted in the use of her watch. However, by the womans being able to readily I change the watch band by herself she will have much more flexibility in the use of her watch. I

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a novel removable womans watch band.

It is another object of this invention to provide a curement means comprising a plate, hook-shaped means supported on said plate, said hook-shaped means being movable from a first position wherein one end of said hook-shaped means can be inserted in a ring on a womans watch casing to a second position wherein said hookshaped means is retained in said ring, and pivotable means mounted on said plate for releasably securing said hookshaped means in said second position.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily apreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG; 1 is a perspective view of a womans watch having the removable watch band of this invention secured thereon;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the securement means of the watch band of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the securement means of FIG. 2; 7

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of the securement means of the watch band of this invention; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

Referring now in greater detail to the various figures of the drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like parts, a removable watch band embodying the present invention is generally shown at 10 in FIG. 1. Device 10 basically comprises a wrist-engaging band 12 having a securement mechanism 14 at each end thereof for securement on a watch casing 16.

Band 12 can be any type of watch band known to the art. In the embodiment shown, the band comprises a twopiece leather strap having a series of aligned holes 18 in one piece and a buckle 20 on the other piece. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the use of a leather strap, but any of the other types of bands known to the art such as cloth straps, elastic straps, stretch bands and bracelet bands can be used while carrying out the concepts of this invention. The novelty of the invention resides in the securement mechanism 14 and its attachment to the watch casing 16. The securement mechanism can 'be incorporated with, or attached to, any Watch band known to the art.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the securement mechanism comprises a plate 11 having dependent side walls 24.

shape is normally determined by the desired attractiveness of the watch band or the shape of the band. In the embodiment shown, the plate 22 had a modified pear shape.

Opening 26 projects inwardly from one end of plate 22. Opening 26 is sufliciently wide to permit the insertion of a ring-shaped projection 28 on watch casing 16. The watch band of this invention is particularly adapted for use on a womans Watch which normally includes the ring-shaped projections 28 on the casing. The securement mechanism 14 is adapted for use, however, with any watch having a casing wherein rings are used for the attachment of the watch band. In FIG. 1, a small watch mechanism 30 is shown within the casing, thereby completing the entire wristwatch assembly.

A U-shaped bracket 32 is mounted between walls 24. The legs 34 of the U-shaped bracket abut the walls 24 and are parallel thereto. A notch 36 is formed in each leg :34. The U-shaped bracket 32 is held in place against plate 22 by tabs 38, which project from walls 24 and are bent into notches 36. The tabs 38 serve a second function of securing the leather strap 12 to the securement mechanism 14. Thus, the strap 12 can be held in place by crimping the walls 24, and the legs 34 against the strap and by depressing tabs 38 into the strap. Other types of securement can be used for mounting the securement mechanism 14 on a watch band, depending on the type of band being used. Thus, clips can be used to secure the mechanism 14 on a bracelet band or the securement mechanism can be formed integrally with a bracelet band or stretch band.

A latch 40 is pivotally mounted on legs 34 by having flanges 42 thereof received in circular openings 44 on the legs 34 (see FIG. 2). The other end of latch 40 is bent around to form a lip 46 (FIGS. 2 and 4). Bridging section 48 of U-shaped member 32 includes an upwardly as a gold alloy or a chrome or gold-plated steel, and

therefore is easily disengaged from shoulder 52. In the same manner, latch 40 can be returned to the position shown in FIG. 4 by snapping the lip 46 over the shoulder 52. The angled outer edge 56 (FIG. 4) of shoulder 52 acts as a cam surface in returning the lip 46 to the position shown in FIG. 4.

Legs 24 also include a pair of inwardly projecting tabs 58 at the forward end thereof. An arcuate hook-shaped member 60 is mounted against the back side of plate 22. Member 60 is basically a segment. of a ring, and it is rotatable against plate 22. The member 60 is held in its position during rotation by walls 24 and upstanding flange 50 (FIGS. 2 and 4). Tabs 58 maintain the member 60 against vertical displacement.

An upstanding shoulder 62 (FIG. 2) is formed in member 60. One end of shoulder 62 is positioned between lip 46 and one tab 58 (FIGS. 2 and 3). This positioning prevents any inadvertent movement of member 60 from the position shown in FIG. 2.

The watch band 10 is mounted on watch casing 16 by first lifting latch 40 upwardly in the direction of arrow 54 (FIG. 2). Thereafter, member 60 is rotated from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown at 60' in FIG. 3. It should be noted, that until latch 40 is lifted,

member 60 cannot be rotated since shoulder 62 will,

abut either tab 58 or lip 46 if any rotational movement were attempted. However, with the latch 40 lifted out of the way, member 60 can be rotated until shoulder 62 is in the position shown at 62 in FIG. 3 adjacent the other tab 58. With the member 60 rotated to the position shown at 60', opening 26 in plate 22 will be completely exposed at its outer end. Accordingly, ring-shaped projection 28 can be inserted into opening 26. Thereafter, member 60 is returned to the position shown in full line in FIG. 3, thereby inserting the member through the ring of projection 28. This in turn secures the watch band on the casing 16. With the watch band thus secured, latch 40 is returned to the position shown in FIG. 2, thereby locking the watch band in place.

The other end of the watch band is secured in place in the same manner described above. Since the latch 40 will be against the wrist of the wearer of the watch during use, there is no possibility of the watch bands being inadvertently removed from the watch casing. However, whenever it is desired to remove the watch band, as for cleaning or for changing the band for fashion purposes, the band can easily be removed merely by raising the latch 40 and rotating member 60 in the manner described above. I

A modified embodiment of the securement mechanism for the watch band of this invention is generally shown at 64 in-FIG. 5. Device 64 includes a base plate 66 having upstanding walls 68. A U-shaped member 70 having tapering legs 72 is mounted between legs '68, with the legs 72 abutting tapering sections of walls 68. Tabs 74 projecting inwardly from walls 68 are crimped onto a bridging section of U-shapedmember 70. A watch band can be secured to the securement mechanism 64 by crimping the walls 68 and by the force of tabs 74 against the bridging section of U-shaped member 70. The securement mechanism 64 can also be secured to a watch band by any of the other methods known to the art.

. A second plate 76 abuts plate 66 and is secured in place by the pressure of the lower edges of legs 72. Plate 76 includes an upstanding wall 78 which abuts one edge of U-shaped member 709A flange 80 projects from wall 78.

. A latch plate 82 is pivotallymounted on the underside of flange 80 by pin 84. Pin 84 is secured by bushing 86 on which plate 82 rests. A lip 88 projects upwardly from one edge of latch plate 82.

A hook-shaped member 90. is rotatably mounted in channel 92 which projects from the edge of plate 66. Hook-shaped member includes a straight leg 94 and a finger 96 for securing leg 94 in the channel 92. In the position shown in full line in FIG. 5, member 90 bridges slot 98 formed in one end of plate 66.

In use, latch 82 is pivoted from the position shown in full line in FIG. 5 to the position shown in phantom at 82' in FIG. 5. The pivoting is around pin 84. With the latch plate pivoted outwardly arcuate member 90 can be rotated around leg 94 and channel 92 to the position shown in phantom at 90 in FIG. 5.

With the securement mechanism 60 in the position shown in phantom in FIG. 5, member 90 can be inserted in the ring-shaped projection 28 of a watch casing. Thereafter, the member 90 is rotated to the position shown in full line in FIG. 5 and the latch 82 is rotated to the position shown in full line in FIG. 5. This secures the member 90 in place and prevents its inadvertent removal from ring-shaped projection 28, thereby securing one end of thewatch band to the watch casing. The other end of the watch band is secured in exactly the same manner as that described above.

It is thus seen that in both embodiments of the securement mechanism of the watch band of this invention, the watch band can easily he secured to or removed from any watch having an opening adapted to receive a securing hook. Generally, womens watch casings utilize hookshaped securement for the watch band. The securing mechanism of this invention can be used on any type of watch band known to the art, including stretch bands, bracelet bands or flexible straps.

'Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully illustrate my invention, that others may, by applying current or future knowledge, adopt the same for use under variousconditions of service.

What is claimed as the invention is:

1. A removable watch band having securement means at each end .thereof, said securement means comprising a plate, hook-shaped means supported on said plate, said hook-shaped means being movable from a first positionwherein one end of said hook-shaped means can be inserted in a ring on a watch casing to a second position wherein said hook-shaped means is retained in said ring, said hook-shaped means comprising a segment of a ring, said segment being rotatable in a plane parallel to said plate from said first position to said second position, said segment having stop means thereon to limit the rotation thereof, said segment being maintained in its parallel relationship to said plate by a pair of tabs, said tabs limiting the rotational movement of said segment by. abutment-of said stop means against the edges of said tabs, and pivotable means mounted on said plate for releasably securing said segment in said second position.

2. The watch band of claim 1 wherein said plate has a slot formed in the end thereof, said slot adapted to receive said ring when said segment is in said first position, said ring being maintained in said slot when said segment is in said second position.

3. The watch band of claim 1 wherein said pivotable means comprises a latch that is pivotable around an axis of rotation that is parallel to said plate.

4. The watch band of claim 1 wherein said pivotable means comprises a latch, and further including releasable means for securing said latch in a position to maintain said segment in said second position.

5. The watch band of claim 4 wherein said releasable means comprises the combination of a lip formed on said latch and a shoulder engageable by said lip.

6. A removable watch band having securement means at each end thereof, said securement means comprising a plate, hook-shaped means supported on said plate, said hook-shaped means being movable from a first position wherein one end of said hook-shaped means can be inserted in a ring on a watch casing to a second position wherein said hook-shaped means is retained in said ring, pivotable means mounted on said plate for releasably securing said hook-shaped means in said second position, said hook-shaped means comprising a segment of a ring, said segment being rotatable from said first position to said second position in a plane parallel to said plate, a shoulder formed on said segment, said shoulder serving as a stop means to limit the rotational movement of said segment, at least one tab maintaining said segment in a plane parallel to said plate, said pivotable means comprising a latch, and said shoulder being positioned between said tab and said latch when said segment is in said second position.

7. A removable watch band having securement means at each end thereof, said securement means comprising a plate, hook-shaped means supported on said plate, said hook-shaped means being rotatable about an axis that lies in a plane parallel to said plate from a first position wherein one end of said hook-shaped means can be inserted in a ring on a watch casing to a second position wherein said hook-shaped means is retained in said ring, and pivotable means mounted on said plate for releasably securing said hook-shaped means in said second position.

8. The watch band of claim 7 wherein said pivotable means comprises a latch that is rotatable in a plane parallel to said plate.

9. The watch band of claim 8 wherein said latch includes a lip that is engageable to aid in rotating said latch.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,307,345 3/1967 Cohen 5888 3,551,966 1/1971 Bert 24-265 WS X 2,205,215 6/1940 Levesque 24-241 PP 2,459,380 1/ 1949 Hess 24-241 PL 2,522,650 9/1950 Valcourt 24241 WB GERALD M. FORLENZA, Primary Examiner F. E. WERNER, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

2473 WW, 241 PP, 241 WB, 265 WS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION 3,664,559 Dated May 23, 1972 Mates A. Bruner Patent No.

It is certified that errors appear in the aboveidentified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

(1) Column 4, line 32 "60" should be64-.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GO'ITSCHALK Atte sting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

